“Really?” Tiernan asked. “Do you truly want to marry me?”
“Now you're asking if it's what I want?” I huffed. “Isn't it a little late for that?”
“I love you, Seren,” Tiernan said seriously. “I want to spend eternity with you. But I won't force you into a commitment. If this isn't what you want, we'll find another way.”
“Tiernan,” I sighed and took his hand. “I love you too. Let's get married.”
“You're certain?”
“I'm certain.”
“Your Majesty,” Tiernan looked to my father, “we're ready.”
“It is my honor to-”
“You shall not!” Moire's hands started to glow with magic.
“No, my love!” Conn grabbed at her. “We are no longer at war, remember? You will call the Sluagh down upon you!”
Moire paled even more than her already milky tone. She curdled. The fight seemed to fade from her, and she fell back into her throne. She'd been outmaneuvered by the best manipulator there was; Danu herself.
“Oh, damn it all,” Keir swore. “We'll have a proper ceremony later. Tiernan, do you swear to be true to my daughter? To love her and protect her?”
“I so swear,” Tiernan said immediately.
“Seren, do you swear to be true to Tiernan?” Keir asked me. “To love him and protect him?”
“I...” I looked from Tiernan to Raza, to Killian, and back. “I so swear.”
“Then Tiernan, do you take Seren Firethorn to be your wife?”
“With all my heart,” Tiernan said.
“And Seren, do you take Tiernan Shadowcall to be your husband?”
“I do,” I said simply.
The entire room cheered.
“Silence!” Moire shouted. “Congratulations, Niece. You have wedded a seelie, and given yourself the right to challenge me. So go ahead, make the challenge. Put your head into my noose. I relish the opportunity to kill you.”
“Oh, this is a long time coming, Aunt,” I smiled viciously. “I challenge you, Moire Thorn, for the right to rule Seelie.”
“So be it,” Moire stepped down the dais daintily.
Everyone backed away, including my new husband. Everyone except Killian that is. He took up a stance beside me, pulled his balaclava up over the lower part of his face, and crossed his arms. I chuckled and he gave me a wink.
“Killian,” Raza hissed. “You cannot help her.”
“The fuck I can't,” Killian remained beside me.
“You help her, and her claim is null,” Tiernan added. “Get over here before you make this all pointless.”
“Fuck,” Killian hissed. Scales shifted over his skin, and a horrible grating sound filled the air.
“Killian, I'll be okay,” I turned to him, pulled down his skull mask, and kissed him.
The scales settled back into his skin.
